Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan shows that he’s determined to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Great Recession if Congress lets him.
“If we look back and think this plan was too big, that would be a regret that would be fine to live with,” Jason Furman, one of the architects of the 2009 stimulus plan, told CNN Business.
Furman, a former top economic aide to Obama, recalled that the team wanted a $1 trillion stimulus package in 2009 — or roughly 25% bigger than the record-setting legislation that ultimately got through Congress.
“The recovery was slower from the financial crisis because the stimulus wasn’t bigger,” said Furman, who served as one of Obama’s top economic advisers.
By contrast, economists say the Biden plan should help the US economy ride out the next six months or so of the pandemic, which has killed more than 400,000 Americans.
Mark Zandi: 8% GDP growth if enacted
The $1.9 trillion plan includes $1,400 stimulus checks, a $15 federal minimum wage, $350…